The Canadian AVGP Family

The Canadian AVGP Family Background

Most major AFV manufacturers have facilities in a number of countries. General Dynamics Land Systems is no exception and has a large facility in Canada known as GDLS-Canada (which was previously GM Defense and was purchased by GDLS), which focuses on the production & development of Wheeled Vehicles for the international market.

The Swiss firm MOWAG developed a series of 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled troop carriers for the Swiss Army commonly known as the Piranha during the 1970’s. Their order books have expanded to include international purchases from many other nations Armies.

This includes the licensed production during the 1970’s of their 6×6 vehicle by GDLS-Canada for the Canadian Army, who designated it the Armoured Vehicle General Purpose AKA “AVGP”.

There were three variants of The Canadian AVGP Family built:

The Grizzly – infantry carrier

Cadillac-Gage 1 metre turret, armed with a .50 BMG and a 7.62 mm MG. x3 crew and rear troop section accommodates x6 troops who exit through doors in the rear. 269 were built.

The Cougar – Fire Support

British Scorpion tank turret equipped with a 76mm main gun (fires HESH, Smoke and Canister rounds) and coaxial 7.62mm MG. 195 were built.

The Husky – recovery vehicle

Roof mounted hydraulic crane for lifting and swapping engines on the rest of the family. Vehicle has a crew of 3 engineers. 27 were built.

The Canadian AVGP Family operation and service

The Grizzly is no longer in front line service with Canada, but is in Reserve armoured units as well as being converted to support vehicle variants.

The Canadian AVGP Family Specifications

The Canadian AVGP Family Number in service as of 2009

Cougar – 100, Grizzly – 274, Husky – 27

The Canadian AVGP Family Operators and Combat History

Canada

The Canadian Forces Land Force Command aka Canadian Army have been a key player in both NATO and UN lead operations, which has seen the vehicle deployed in both Africa (Sudan) and Former Yugoslavia (Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina).

African Union

AMIS mission has been leant 100 (1 lost in combat) Grizzly and 5 Husky

Uruguay

44 refurbished Cougars with turrets removed, 98 Grizzly and 5 Husky given directly from the AMIS/UNAMID mission in Sudan.